walking tour – The Wknd Travel

Going Solo In Europe: COPENHAGEN – Walking Around Denmark’s Wonderful Capital City

Day 14 of 19 – I arrived in Copenhagen, Denmark from Czech Republic. After spending days around Amsterdam, Brussels & Prague, I am in Copenhagen – the last stop of this memorable 19-day solo trip around Europe. I had bittersweet feelings landing in this beautiful Scandinavian capital. It’s another country to add to my list; the first Scandinavian country I’ve been to. It’s one of the happiest countries in the world with one of the happiest citizens. I’ve heard great things about this city & country. It is also the last of 4 countries in this Europe trip of a lifetime.

Hello from Rosenborg Castle Grounds!! One of the very few photos of me (in it) in Copenhagen.. 🇩🇰

You might ask why am I chose Copenhagen of all places to be the last stop of this trip. First, it was the cheapest way out of Europe when I booked my ticket with Singapore Airlines. Second, I took this chance to personally meet Mads, a Danish good friend of mine I virtually met during my HTC fanboy days with Elevate. Mads is based in Aalborg, Denmark’s fourth biggest city, but flew in to Copenhagen to meet & take me around Copenhagen. We had nothing but great times walking around the city & me being like a local for 2 full days. To Mads, thank you!

My stay in Denmark was not as busy & eventful as my stays in the Netherlands, Belgium & Czech Republic. I didn’t go outside of Copenhagen & decided to just relax & walk around the city. It was the last few days of my trip so it was the perfect time to slow down, live like a local & enjoy the remaining time in Europe. Join me as I share with you below details about my last few days in Copenhagen.

Copenhagen

Copenhagen is the capital of Scandinavian country Denmark. It is the country’s biggest & most populous city; it is also the country’s center of government, business, trade, finance & economy. The city started as a Viking fishing village in the early centuries & has evolved into a religious & trading town under the influence of Bishop Absalon. In the 1400s, the city became the official capital of Denmark & home of the royal family. Denmark, with Copenhagen as capital, flourished during the time of Christian IV. He created new cities, opened up trade & started companies that can trade to foreign entities. Copenhagen survived natural & man-made disasters & territorial battles throughout the years & emerged now as Scandinavia’s most important city.

Sunset view from the Round Tower observation deck. Beautiful place to see the the majestic sunset.

Denmark is one of the Schengen states & is also a member of the European Union. The country’s official currency is Danish Krone with kr. (with period) as sign & DKK as code. The same currency is being used by the Faroe Islands & Greenland. Conversation rate is 1 euro is to roughly 7.5 kr. For a budget traveler like me, Denmark is an expensive city to visit. The country has a different vibe compared to the others I’ve been to but is surely worth a visit. I felt super safe & secured when I was in this country compared to the other ones I’ve been to. People are very friendly, accommodating & happy in general. No wonder they’re consistently in the happiest countries in the world list.

Did you know that I applied for my own Schengen tourist visa? Yes! I did it all by myself & I got a multiple entry visa valid for 45 days. Check out this Tuesday Tip post to know how I did it.

Prague to Copenhagen

Prague, Czech Republic & Copenhagen, Denmark are not connected by direct trains. The fastest & most comfortable way to travel from one city to the other is via airplane. I took the sole Czech Airlines flight to Copenhagen from Prague last 5 November 2019. Check out the details of this flight in this Czech Airlines OK 508 Flight Report.

Steel House Copenhagen

All my 4 nights in Copenhagen were spent in Steel House Copenhagen. This New York-inspired luxury hostel in Vesterbo is owned & managed by ARP-Hansen Hotel Group – Copenhagen’s biggest hotel group. I wrote about my experience in Steel House Copenhagen in my latest hostel of the day feature. Check out my feature & review about the hostel here.

Going Around Copenhagen

Copenhagen is a tourist-friendly city. Majority of the places to visit can be reached by walking. The city also has a very efficient & modern subway system that goes to almost all areas of the city. Another way to go around the city is by cycling. Danish people, like Dutch people, use bicycles in their daily lives. Tourists can rent bicycles from hostels & shops.

Random but very clean street & canal in Copenhagen. Their canals have crystal-clear waters! 😍

I was travelling on budget & was not in a hurry so I walked a lot during my time in Copenhagen. Every day, I walk out of the hostel, go to different places, explore tourist destinations & walk back to the hostel at night. I remember one time when Mads & I took the automated subway from Nørreport Station to Christianshavn Station on our way to Christiania. Believe it or not, that 3-minute subway ride cost me 21 DKK (₱160-ish). Expensive, right? Yes – but we took it because we were running out of time. It’ll take us 35 minutes to walk to Christiania. It was a good experience, though!

Copenhagen Walking Tours

Just like what I did in Amsterdam, Brussels & Prague, I joined SANDEMANs New Europe’s walking tours around Copenhagen. SANDEMANs New Europe offers 5 group tours & 3 private tours around Copenhagen. I joined the free (well you know it’s tip-based) tour in the morning with our guide Bryony. We started the tour in Rådhuspladsen, then walked through the old streets of Copenhagen, to Christianborg, then Nyhavn & finish off at Amalienborg. Bryony shared to us the history of the city – how it started before & how it evolved into what it is now. These free walking tours run daily at 11:00 am (English & Spanish) & 2:00 pm (English only) & takes about 2 – 2.5 hours. This walking tour has a 15-minute coffee & toilet break in Espresso House near King’s New Square. Again, this walking tour is only tip-based & there’s no required amount from the joiners.

After the free walking tour, I joined the Must-See Copenhagen Tour: The Untold Stories also with Bryony. She took us around the Copenhagen landmarks that were not visited by the previous tour – The Little Mermaid, Rosenberg Castle, Kastellet, Gefion Fountain, Nyboder & finished in front of Copenhagen Cathedral. She also told us stories about battles between the Danes & Swedes, about the Norse gods & goddesses & some notable figures in Danish history. This tour costs €16 & starts at Espresso House – Østerport Station. It runs every Monday, Wednesday, Friday & Saturday & lasts for 2 to 2.5 hours. You may get your tickets from SANDEMANs website or during the free walking tour break.

This is the afternoon view from the helix viewpoint of Church of our Savior in Christianshavn, DK.

For me, these walking tours are the best way to know a cities & places you visit. These experienced tour guides share everything they know about a place’s history, culture, politics & even arts. Most free walking tours are tip-based; there are also some who ask for a small tour fee. These tours also help freelance professional tour guides earn for a living.

Places To See Around Copenhagen

Copenhagen has a long list of places to visit. Believe it or not, I didn’t get to see all sights in my 3 full days of walking around the city. These are the ones I’ve been to:

Copenhagen Central Station

Copenhagen Central Station, Københavns Hovedbanegård or København H in local language, is the city’s main train station & is also the largest train station in Denmark. It is the city’s gateway to domestic & international rail routes. It is the main hub of DSB, Danske Statsbaner, Denmark’s largest railway company.

City Hall Square

City Hall Square, Rådhuspladsen as locals call it, is a public square in the center of Copenhagen. It is in front of the Copenhagen City Hall & is an important venue for local celebrations & events. SANDEMANs New Europe’s free walking tour meets & starts in this square.

Copenhagen City Hall

Copenhagen City Hall, Københavns Rådhus in Danish language, is the city’s seat of government. This old building that I initially thought of a as a church is found in the City Hall Square, in the middle of Copenhagen.

Tivoli Gardens

Tivoli Gardens is a famous amusement & theme park in the center of Copenhagen. This is the second-oldest operating theme park in the world. It only opens during tourist-heavy seasons such as summer & winter. Unfortunately, the theme park was closed during my visit. It was due to open a day after my flight out of Copenhagen. Locals say Walt Disney got his Disneyland idea from this theme park – unsure how true this claim is. I’d love to visit Copenhagen again in the future just to go inside & try the rides of Tivoli Gardens.

Magstræde

Magstræde is one of the oldest streets of Old Town Copenhagen. This beautiful street has colorful old & preserved houses which existed way back in the early days. It is only one of the remaining streets which have the original cobblestones.

Amalienborg Palace

Amalienborg Palace is the Royal Family’s winter residence. The castle has 4 identical palace buildings in an octagonal courtyard with the iconic King Frederick V statue in between. You will know if the members of the royal family are in if the Danish flag is up. Luckily, it was up during our walking tour. Bryony, our tour guide, told us that The Crown Prince sometimes waves to the people from his window.

Christiansborg Palace

Christiansborg Palace houses the Danish Parliament, the Prime Minister’s Office as well as the Supreme Court of Denmark. This palace also has the Royal Reception Rooms, Royal Stables & even the Royal Chapel used by the Royal Family. Our free walking tour group saw 2 royal horses being trained & fed during our visit to the palace grounds.

Christiansborg’s Tower offers a beautiful view of Copenhagen skyline. Access to the view deck is free of charge. Too bad I didn’t have time to visit this observation deck. I heard queues can be long at times.

Rosenborg Castle

Rosenborg Castle is a castle built by Christian IV in the 1600s. It is found within the King’s Garden in the center of Copenhagen. This castle now functions as a museum housing royal artefacts & historical collection.

Frederik’s Church

Locally known as Frederiks Kirke, Frederik’s Church is a Lutheran church in Copenhagen. It is also known as the Marble Church (Marmorkirken) & is found near the Amalienborg Palace. It has one of the largest church domes in Denmark & in Scandinavia.

Round Tower

The Round Tower, Rundetårn as locals call it, is Europe’s oldest functioning observatory. It was built by Christian IV in the 17^th century to continue the astronomical studies started by Tycho Brahe. The tower has a spiral way up (no stairs) – used before to bring heavy materials up to the observatory through horses & carriages. The tower has an open-air observation deck which tourists can access for 25 DKK.

Strøget

Strøget is Copenhagen’s longest & most famous shopping street. This street has almost all kinds of shops, cafes & restaurants the locals & tourists need or want. It’s a nice place to observe Danish locals & their everyday lives.

The Citadel

The Citadel, Kastellet in local language, is Copenhagen’s fortress constructed in pentagon-shape. It used to protect the city from Swedes & international invaders. The citadel still functions as a military area at the same time a public park where locals & visitors can have a walk.

The Little Mermaid

If Brussels has Manneken Pis & Singapore has Merlion, Copenhagen has the famous Little Mermaid statue. Known as Den lille Havfrue in Danish, this bronze statue was made after Hans Christian Andersen’s fairy tale. This iconic statue is found on a rock by the Langelinie promenade.

Gefion Fountain

Gefion Fountain, Gefionspringvandet in local language, is a fountain structure that depicts Norse goddess Gefjon with large animals. The statue was donated by Carlsberg Foundation to the Copenhagen city government on the brewery’s 50^th anniversary. The fountain is located near The Little Mermaid & beside St Alban’s Church.

St Alban’s Church

St Alban’s Church is an Anglican church in Copenhagen, Denmark. It is found near the Kastellet, the Little Mermaid & beside the Gefion Fountain.

Nyboder

Nyboder is a row of heritage yellow houses built by Christian IV in the former Naval barracks of Copenhagen. These houses were built to accommodate the increasing Royal Danish Navy & their families.

Nyhavn

Nyhavn is is one of Copenhagen’s popular tourist destinations. The row of colorful heritage buildings by the harbor makes this place unique. The harbor was built during the time of Christian V & it served as the docking place for market goods & seafood. Nowadays, the colorful builders are all cafes, pubs & restaurants. It still functions as a harbor for selected canal tours. This is one of my favorite places in Copenhagen. I can literally sit on one side & look at the colorful houses / buildings all day.

King’s New Square

The King’s New Square, locally known as Kongens Nytorv, is a public square constructed during the time of Christian V. On one side, the square is in the end of Strøget, Copenhagen’s famous shopping street. The other side of the square is also the end of Nyhavn; one side also has the Royal Danish Theatre.

Royal Danish Theatre

The Royal Danish Theatre, Det Kongelige Teater in local language, is Denmark’s most famous performing arts institution. Located at the King’s New Square, this theatre hosts operas, ballet performances, concerts & even plays.

Freetown Christiania

Freetown Chrstiania, known locally as Fristaden Christiania, is a self-governing community which considers themselves independent of Copenhagen, of Denmark & of European Union. It is a place in Copenhagen where illegal things are legal, if you know what I mean. It’s a cool & hippie place to visit – just to visit. Mads & I went to this place just to see it. People were harmless but they offered weed to all passersby, including us. We said no, of course.

Church of Our Savior

Just a few meters from Freetown Christiania is Church of Our Savior. Locally known as Vor Frelsers Kirke, this baroque church is famous for its helix tower accessed through an open-air staircase. Mads & I went up this viewing point & saw stunning views of Copenhagen.

Warning! The helix structure & external staircase becomes smaller as you go up. In the end, only 1 person can stay & at some point, you need to give way to those people going up or going down. Entrance fee to the viewpoint range from 35 DKK to 50 DKK, depending on season.

Gråbrødretorv

Gråbrødretorv is a small & quiet public area just off Strøget. The square has restaurants, shops & offices around & has a tree in between with seating spaces.

Torvehallerne

Torvehallerne is an urban fresh food market near Nørreport Station in Copenhagen. This market is the place to have local snacks including Danish pastries & the famous open-face treat smørrebrød.

Copenhagen Christmas Market

Copenhagen’s Christmas Market in Nyhavn – those small white huts sell food & Christmas goods.

Copenhagen’s Christmas Market opened on my second to the last day in the city. The market was in Nyhavn & sold everything from socks, to beanies, Danish food & drinks & a lot more. We went around every shop & tried all possible food we can try. The booth owners offered free taste of the treats they’re selling. It was a fun experiencing a Christmas market – definitely a memorable in this first solo trip to Europe.

Copenhagen has its own beauty, isn’t it? The city has a different vibe compared to the other ones I’ve been to in this trip. Have you been to Copenhagen or other cities in Denmark? What do you think of the city? How was your trip around the city? Share your experiences in the comments section below. You may send your questions, if any, to contact@thewkndtravel.com. To be honest, I feel like I want to move Copenhagen after visiting the place. I know it is expensive but it is a great city to live in.

One last look at Nyhavn. This is the other side of the famous harbor – still beautiful & colorful. 🇩🇰

And just like that, my journey around Europe is over. This Copenhagen post will be the last post about cities on the Going Solo in Europe series. I still have P’s Lists & Flight Reports coming up related to this trip so please stay tuned. Thank you very much for joining me in this trip of a lifetime. I am already excited to go back there & to explore new countries.

Before you go, can I ask you to please follow me on my social media pages? Here are my Facebook & Instagram accounts. I hope you can also share these pages to your family & friends. Thank you!

PS. Photos were taken using my HTC U11.

Going Solo In Europe: PRAGUE – Europe’s Most Beautiful Capital City

After exploring different cities around Netherlands & Belgium for a week, I took a 65-minute Brussels Airlines flight to Czech Republic. My time in the Dutch & Belgian territories are over; it’s time to move to the next country, time to explore the famous & most beautiful city in Europe – Prague. People I met during the trip often asked me why I chose this city over the usual Paris or the near ones Cologne or Luxembourg. Well, I’ve always wanted to see this city & I promised myself I will include this in my first ever trip to Europe. Let me share with you in this post what this amazing city has to offer.

In case you missed it, I went on a 19-day trip to Europe late last year. I flew to Singapore then to Amsterdam via Singapore Airlines. I went around The Netherlands & visited Amsterdam, Utrecht & North Holland. I also explored the cities of Brussels, Ghent & Bruges in Belgium. I flew to Czech Republic after then onward to Denmark before flying home. You can find the posts about this Europe trip under the Going Solo in Europe series category.

Prague

Prague is the capital & the biggest city in Czech Republic. The city is dubbed as the political, economic & cultural center of Central Europe. Located by the Vltava River, the city flourished during the medieval period being the seat of the Kingdom of Bohemia as well as the base of Holy Roman Emperors. Its most notable ruler, Charles IV (whom the Charles Bridge & a lot of things in Prague are named after), built the city into an important city in Europe. The city survived wars, invasions & natural calamities over the years & rose into a famous tourist destination in central Europe. It was the capital of Czechoslovakia until the state was dissolved in 1993. Prague’s old town & historic center was included in UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites in 1992.

Czech Republic is one of the Schengen states & is a member of the European Union. The country doesn’t use Euro (€) as official currency. It still uses Czech Korunas (CZK) with a conversion rate of around 24-27 CZK for every €1. Prague or Czech Republic in general is relatively cheaper to travel compared to other Schengen countries. Prague is one of the famous holiday destinations in Europe & it attracts millions of visitors every year. Majority of its citizens know how to speak English but their local language (Czech) is still the main language all over the city. In my opinion, Prague has more beautiful buildings & heritage structures compared to the other cities I’ve been to.

Planning to make your Euro-trip dreams come true? Getting a Schengen tourist visa is easy! Check out my post on how I got my tourist visa without any help from any agency.

Brussels To Prague

Brussels & Prague are about 900 kilometers away from each other with Germany being in between. The fastest & cheapest way to reach Prague from Brussels is by plane. I checked the train & bus options but it’ll take me a little over day. I took the 65-minute afternoon Brussels Airlines flight & paid €67,40 one-way including baggage allowance. Know more about this flight by checking my flight report on SN 2811.

Going Around Prague

Going around Prague is easy. The best way to explore the city, especially the Old Town area, is by foot. Every corner of the city is so beautiful, so picturesque. You can walk around all day, stop at every corner, admire the beauty of each side & take lovely photos. You won’t mind getting lost in the city, its beauty is mind-blowing.

The 90-minute ticket I bought in the airport station; I used this to go to the city via bus & subway.

Aside from just walking around all day, you can also go from one place to the other using the subway, trams & buses. The city’s transportation system runs on a uniform time-based ticketing service. Tickets can be used on any mode of public transport as many times & with as many transfers as you like during its validity period. A short-term ticket that’s valid for 30 minutes costs 24 CZK (Czech Korunas). The 90-minute ticket costs 32 CZK, 24-hour ticket costs 110 CZK & the 3-day ticket costs 310 CZK. You can take the bus, tram & subway within 30 minutes for only 24 CZK. Tickets are purchased in ticket vending machines inside the stations or inside the trams.

Václav Havel Airport Prague, or commonly known as Prague Airport (PRG), is located a few miles away from the city. The cheapest way to reach the city is by taking Bus 119 to Nadrazi Veleslavin Station on the Green Line, transferring to the metro & getting off in Můstek of Muzeum Station. Trip takes about 30 to 45 minutes depending on traffic. It is recommended to take the 90-minute ticket which costs 32 CZK.

Prague Walking Tours

If you’ve read my previous posts about Amsterdam, Brussels, Ghent & Bruges, you know that I am a fan of walking tours. I believe these walking tours are the best way to know the city from tour professionals at a small cost. I joined 2 tours in Prague – both organized & ran by SANDEMANs New Europe, the same tour group I joined in Amsterdam & Brussels.

That is our friendly tour guide, Katerina. walking us around Josefov – Prague’s old Jewish quarter.

I joined the 3-hour Prague Walking Tour led by Katerina. She walked us through the old town, told us the history of Prague (from the early centuries, the Bohemian times, Nazi invasion up to the post-war times), showed us some unique sightings (Astronomical Clock, Jewish Cemetery, Charles Bridge) & gave us tips on where else to go & what else to do in this fascinating city. This English & Spanish tip-based walking tour happens every day at 10:00, 11:00, 12:00, 14:00 & 16:00, starts in front of the Cartier in the Old Town Square (look for the red umbrella with the SANDEMANs logo in it) & ends at Jan Palach Square.

This is our Prague Castle tour group with our guide Brandon who walked us around the complex.

On that same day, after the walking tour, I joined the Prague Castle Tour led by Brandon. This €12 x 3-hour tour took us up to the Prague Castle, around the Castle district & in various churches in the area. Brandon shared to us the history of the Prague Castle & the nearby buildings, the stories of the Kings, Dukes & Emperors who lived there & even showed to us the changing ceremony of the castle guards. This tour happens at 14:30 every day plus 10:00 schedules every Saturday & Sunday. Tickets are available online or during the free walking tour break. Tour goers need a 30-minute ticket worth (24 CZK) for the tram ride up to the castle grounds; tram tickets can also be purchased during the walking tour break. This tour starts at Jan Palach Square in front of Rudolfinum (look for the red umbrella with the SANDEMANs logo in it) & ends right outside the castle grounds.

I strongly recommend taking these walking tours with SANDEMANs New Europe in Prague. The guides are professional, informative & accommodating. I can’t thank Katerina & Brandon for these 2 fun tours. I learned a lot in 6 hours of walking around Prague Old Town & Prague Castle.

Places To See Around Prague

Prague has a long list on interesting places to see. Check out the sites I’ve been to during my visit.

Old Town Square

Old Town Square, Staroměstské Náměstí in local language, is the historic square of Old Town Prague. It is between the Wenceslas Square & Charles Bridge. This is one of the most famous places to visit in Prague; it is also the meeting point of all walking tours in the city. the Prague Old Town Hall, St. Nicholas Church & Church of our Lady before Tyn surround this big town square.

This is the other side of the Old Town Square, this time during night time… It’s still busy at night!

Charles Bridge

Charles Bridge, Karlův Most in Czech language, is the most famous historic bridge in Prague that crosses the Vltava River & connects the old town to the Prague Castle. This bridge was built during the reign of Charles IV. The bridge is decorated by around 30 statutes on both sides – most of them are saints & images from the Roman Catholic faith. Charles Bridge is one of the most famous & crowded landmarks in Prague.

Tip: Visit the Charles Bridge at least 3 times during your Prague visit – one in the morning during sunrise, one during sunset & one in the evening. It appeals differently at each time of the day. Also, beware of pickpockets in this area.

Prague Astronomical Clock

Prague Astronomical Clock, Pražský Orloj in Czech language, is a medieval astronomical clock found in the walls of the Old Town Hall. It is one of the oldest astronomical clocks in the world & the oldest that is still working.

Tip: The astronomical clock features an hourly ‘Walk of the Apostles’ show. Make sure to get a good place at least 10-15 minutes before every start of the hour to see the show from the best angle.

Old Town Hall

Prague’s Old Town Hall, Staroměstská Radnice in local language, is one of the oldest & the most visited buildings in the old town. The building served as the council’s seat in the old times & was converted into a tourism office, a museum & an exhibition space. It also has a tower which gives a nice view of the Prague Old Town. Access to the Old Town Hall Tower comes with a fee.

Church of our Lady before Týn

The Church of our Lady before Týn, locally known as Kostel Matky Boží Před Týnem, is a Gothic-style church found in the Prague Old Town Square. This church can easily be noticed because of its 2 tall towers. The church entrance is found at the back of the restaurants & commercial spaces in the Old Town Square.

Old Town Bridge Tower

The Old Town Bridge Tower, also known as Staroměstská Mostecká Věž, is the tower that connects Prague Old Town with Charles Bridge.

Republic Square

Republic Square, locally known as Náměstí Republiky, is the city square between the Old Town & the New Town. This public square has commercial spaces, shopping malls & restaurants around it. This is the square near the Powder Tower.

Powder Tower

The Prašná Brána or Powder Tower is a Gothic-style tower that separates the old town from the new town. This tower is one of the old gates of the City of Prague.

St. Francis of Assisi Church

St. Frances of Assisi Church, locally Kostel Sv. Františka z Assisi, is a Baroque-style church in Prague. It is near the Old Town Tower Bridge & functions as a concert hall.

Prague Castle

Prague Castle, locally known as Pražský Hrad, is the office of the President of Czech Republic. This castle complex was built in the 9^th century has become the seat of power of the kings, emperors & presidents that served Czech Republic. This UNESCO World Heritage site has different buildings & structures which have different architectural styles.

Tip: Take the Prague Castle Tour with SANDEMANs New Europe to know more about the Prague Castle.

St. Vitus Cathedral

St. Vitus Cathedral, locally known as Metropolitní Katedrála Svatého Víta, is a metropolitan Catholic cathedral found inside the Prague Castle grounds. This cathedral is the biggest & the most important church in Prague. It is also the seat of the Archdiocese of Prague. This Gothic-style church is the place where royal events happen. It is also known for its beautiful stained-glass images.

This is one of the many stained glasses of St. Vitus Cathedral – the depicted images are beautiful!!!

St George’s Basilica

St. Georges Basilica, Bazilika Sv. Jiří in local language, is the oldest church building found in the Prague Castle complex. This church dedicated to St George functions as an exhibition space, a concert hall & an art gallery.

Wenceslas Square

Wenceslas Square, Václavské Náměstí in Czech language, is one of the famous squares in Prague New Town. The square has many commercial establishments including shops, restaurants & bars. It is also a cultural square where past mass gatherings & celebrations happened. The square was named after Wenceslas I, the Duke of Bohemia.

Narodni Museum

Narodni Museum or Národní muzeum in local language is the National Museum of Czech Republic. It has everything about Czech Republic – its history, arts, culture & government. This building is found at the end of Wenceslas Square. The nearest subway station to the museum is Muzeum Station.

Josefov

Josefov is an Old Town quarter occupied by the Jews since the 10^th century. Notable structures such as the Old New Synagogue (Staronová Synagoga – Europe’s oldest functioning synagogue) & the Old Jewish Cemetery (Starý židovský Hřbitov) are found here.

Rudolfinum

Rudolfinum is a 19^th century concert & exhibition hall in Jan Palach Square.

New Town Hall

Prague’s New Town Hall, locally known as Novoměstská Radnice, was built after King Charles IV created the New Town. This historical building has witnessed cultural & social activities & still continues to host exhibitions & social events in the city.

Dancing House

Dancing House, Tančící Dům in Czech language, is an office building located by Vltava River. This building became famous because of its unique architecture. Commonly known as Fred & Ginger, this building is dedicated to a famous American dance duo.

Havelský Market

Havelský Market, locally known as Havelské Tržiště, is a local urban market in Havelská Street. It is the only preserved & functioning market place in the Old Town. Market stalls sell fresh fruits & vegetables for locals & souvenir items mainly for visitors.

Statue of Kafka

The Statue of Kafka, locally called Hlava Franze Kafky, is an outdoor rotating sculpture of famous Bohemian writer Franz Kafka found outside Quadrio Shopping Center in Prague. The sculpture was made by David Černý & was installed in 2014.

Prague is Prague. It is a must visit city in Czech Republic & in Europe in general. There’s no city in Europe like Prague – historical, beautiful, unique & affordable. I’m happy I went out of my way to visit this wonderful city. I may have seen a lot but I still dream of going back to this magnificent city. It is easily my favorite city in Europe so far!

Have you been to Prague in the past? What do you think of the city? What was your favorite spot around the city? Are you planning to go to Prague in the future? If yes, please include this city in your first trip. You won’t have regrets visiting the beautiful city – I promise. Share your experiences or plans in the comments section below. Do you have questions about the city or place mentioned above? You may also send them to me via email to contact@thewkndtravel.com & I’ll answer as soon as I can.

One of my favorite sights in Prague – St. Vitus Cathedral’s main facade during sunset. Beautiful!!!

Thank you for joining me in Prague today! Next up is a small town east of Prague called Kutna Hora. Stay tuned for that post. Don’t forget to check out my other Europe posts under the Going Solo in Europe category. Please don’t forget to follow my social media platforms – Facebook & Instagram.

PS. Photos were taken using my HTC U11.

Going Solo In Europe: BRUGES – Cobbled Alleys, Gingerbread Houses & Pretty Canals in Belgium’s Picture-Perfect City

After spending 1.5 days around Belgium, I decided to take side trips to rather more beautiful cities in Belgium – Bruges & Ghent. Brussels is beautiful but I’ve head nicer things about these 2 cities, thus I gave them both a visit. Just like my visit in the Netherlands, I didn’t plan anything when I came to Belgium. I went on my usual free walking tour around Brussels, met interesting people in the hostel & asked for recommendations from the guides & my new friends. Everyone recommended to spend a day around Bruges. I still had 2 days in Belgium; I don’t have any reason not to go.

Join me in this exploring Bruges, Belgium today! It’s probably one of the most beautiful cities I’ve been to in this Going Solo in Europe trip.

Bruges

Bruges is an ancient city in the northwestern part of the country in the Flemish Region of Belgium. The city is commonly known as the ‘Venice of the North’ because of its beautiful canals, cobbled alleys & medieval houses.

It was once a trade-centered city during the 12^th to 15^th centuries but was overpowered by Antwerp in the 1500s. The city was revived as a prominent tourist destination in the 19^th century attracting visitors from all over Europe. The city was spared from 2 world war destructions thus maintaining its medieval character up to the present time. Various city center restoration & preservation projects were launched in the 1960s which led to it being a famous tourist destination in Belgium & in Europe in general.

In 2000, the historic center of Bruges was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Brussels to Brugges

Bruges is about 100 kilometers away from Brussels. Trains & buses connect these 2 cities. Hourly trains leave from Brussels North, Central & South stations & stop at Bruges Station. Tickets cost €14,30 per way on 2^nd class cabin & €26,80 return on the same cabin. The train trip takes about 1 hour & 30 minutes per way.

Booked my bus ticket a day before the trip. It cost me €1o,99 one way from Bruges back to Brussels.

FlixBus also connects both cities with 1.5-hour trips but on comfortable coaches. Tickets can cost as low as €5,99 per way or €11,98 return if you book early. FlixBus tickets guarantee a seat in the bus all equipped with free wi-fi & charging ports.

I took the train (€14,30) to Bruges & booked a return trip (€10,99) with FlixBus just because it was cheaper. Guess what? I missed my bus trip back to Brussels because of a freakin’ waffle. The next bus trip was not until 10:00 pm; I had no choice but to buy another €14,30 train ticket to Brussels. Don’t worry, it was worth missing the bus. You’ll know more later.

Legends Bruges Free Walking Tours

Just like what I did in Amsterdam & Brussels, I joined free walking tours in Bruges. A company called Legends Tours run 3 free (well, tip-based) walking tours in Bruges – a traditional walking tour, a food tour & a night walking tour. I was only in Bruges for the day so I took the first two with the nice & friendly tour guide named Lavigna.

Legends of Bruges Walking Tour

The Legends of Bruges Walking Tour talked about how Bruges started, how it became an important city in history & how it evolved in a tourist hub today. This 2.5-hour walking tour started in Market Square, passed by several sites such as the Belfry, St John’s Hospital, the Beguinage, the Lake of Love & ended in Burg Square.

Tour schedules: Every day at 9:45, 10:30, 11:30 & 14:00 | Starts at Market Square (look for the red umbrella)

A Taste of Bruges Walking Tour

A Taste of Bruges Walking Tour gave us information on how Belgian delicacies – fries, waffles, chocolates & beer started. Lavigna brought us to the fries museum, let us try Belgian fries with that special sauce, brought us to traditional chocolate shops to try pralines & handmade chocolates, walked us to the best waffle place in Bruges & gave us a small glass or Belgian Beer in one of the local breweries all for free. Yes, we only gave tips at the end of the tour. This food tasting tour is a must-do when visiting Bruges.

Tour schedules: Every day except Mondays at 11:30 | Starts at Market Square (look for the red umbrella)

Going Around Bruges

Bruges city center is small & walkable. Bruges Train Station is outside the city center but is about 20 minutes by foot to the market square. The best way to go around the center is by foot, to slowly walk past the beautiful gingerbread houses, to feel the cobblestones in every alley & to enjoy the relaxing views from the canals. I walked around the city the time I was there & it was lovely even if it was tiring.

Places To See Around Bruges

Check out the picturesque & must-see places I visited in Bruges in that whole day visit.

Markt

Markt or Market Square is Bruges’ main city square. This was a market place during the trading days & is now the most vibrant part of the city. The square is bound by the belfry, notable buildings, restaurants & shops which were guild houses in the past.

Jan Breydel Monument

Jan Breydel is revolutionary leader that led the locals to war against King Phillip VI of France. His monument is in the center of the market square & is the meeting place for walking tours.

Belfry of Bruges

The Belfry of Bruges is the city’s bell tower built in the 1200s. It is one of the city’s landmarks which before housed the treasury & archives. It also served as a lookout for fires & dangers in the past. It is now an observation deck about 80 meters above the ground which tourists & visitors line up for. I didn’t have the time to go up the tower because of the long queues during my visit.

Church of Our Lady Bruges

View of the Church of the Lady Bruges from afar – somewhere near Old St John Hospital site.

This gothic-style catholic church is in the center of Bruges & has a history since the 13^th century. The church also has the Madonna & Child marble sculpture made by Michelangelo. This sculpture is known as “Madonna of Bruges.”

Burg Square

Burg Square is a former fortress & now a public square in Bruges. It is surrounded by the Bruges City Hall, the Basilica of the Holy Blood & other historical buildings.

Bruges City Hall

Bruges City Hall is one of the oldest buildings in the city. It is the seat of the Bruges government from 600 years ago up until present. This old gothic building is in Burg Square.

Rozenhoedkaai

Rozenhoedkaai, also known as the Quay of Rosary, is the most picture-perfect place in Bruges. It is the most photographed place in the city showing the beautiful views of the canal & the old houses. This place is near the fish market & is minutes away from the market square.

Lake of Love

The Lake of Love is a small but beautiful lake that welcomes you to the Bruges city center. It has various legends on why it was called such (like the love story of Mina & Stromberg) but I can’t fully remember the story. Peace out!

St. Bonifacius Bridge

St. Bonifacius Bridge is a small but romantic pedestrian bridge at the back of the Church of Our Lady Bruges. The bridge has a unique & charming view of a small canal with old brick houses on the side. It was a lovely place but also full of tourists.

Princely Beguinage Ten Wijngaerde

Princely Beguinage Ten Wijngaerde is the only persevered beguinage in Bruges. A beguinage houses beguines – lay women who lived in a community without taking religious vows. Sad to say, this beguinage no longer functions as such – it’s now a convent managed by Benedictine nuns.

Basilica of the Holy Blood

The Basilica of the Holy Blood is a minor basilica found in Burg Square, right beside the city hall. It houses a venerated relic of the Holy Blood believed to be brought from Holy Land.

Old St. John’s Hospital

This is a medieval hospital located next to the Church of Our Lady Bruges. It is one of Europe’s oldest surviving hospitals that treated the sick, travelers & pilgrims during the Middle Ages. This building no longer functions as a hospital but is a museum, a function & exhibition center.

Provinciaal Hof

Commonly known as the Provincial Court, this building used to be the official meeting place of the provincial government of West Flanders. The building is in the market square & now functions as an exhibition center.

Sint-Salvatorskathedraal

Sint-Salvatorskathedraal or Saint Salvator’s Cathedral in English is Bruges’ oldest parish church. It is one of the city’s main church that survived wars, fires & occupations. It’s also in the city center but a bit outside the market square.

Bourgogne des Flandres Brewery

Bourgogne des Flandres Brewery was the last stop of our food tasting tour with Lavigna. The brewery gave us their red-brown Flemish beer to try. This brewery is in the middle of the Bruges city center, by one of the canals. It also has an in-house bar where people can order their beer. The brewery also has tours which will show how they make their own beer. I wish I had more time to go & tour their brewery.

House of Waffles

Remember when I told you earlier that I missed my bus back to Brussels? Yes, it’s because of House of Waffles. We dropped by this place during the food tasting tour to try their waffles. They make really good waffles that I had to go back before leaving the city.

I had plain Brussels waffle & a cup of mint tea. It was so good – so good that I lost track of time & missed my Flixbus back to Brussels. No regrets, it was worth it! Please don’t miss this place when visiting Bruges.

De Garre

Did you know that all beers in Belgium have their respective special beer glasses? Cool stuff.

De Garre is a famous local pub in Bruges that brews their own beer – also named De Garre. I went to this place with Nathan, a Canadian guy I met in the food tasting tour. Nathan’s friends recommended this place to him to try. We ordered on beer each & it came with a small cheese plate. I am not a beer expert but I liked its distinct taste.

That’s it for Bruges. Thanks for joining me around Belgium’s picture-perfect city! I wish I had more time in this city but I guess I’ll just put it in places I need to visit again in the future. Have you been to Bruges in Belgium? How did you find the city? How is it compared to Brussels? Share your fun Bruges experiences in the comments section below. Do you have any questions about the city? You may post them below or send it to be via email to contact@thewkndtravel.com. Please please please also help me in promoting my social media channels – Facebook, Instagram or Twitter.

Watch out for my feature on Ghent -an underrated city in Belgium which some people skip!

PS. Photos were taken using my HTC U11.

N9 In Straya Series: Walking Around MELBOURNE Part 1 – Parks, Gardens & Heritage Sites

Last August 2018, I went to Australia for a week-long trip with my N9 friends, Shane & Leng. We spent days around Sydney’s heritage sites & country icons, tried the extreme rides in Scenic World Blue Mountains, toured Hunter Valley & had a taste of the best wines in the region & walked along the beautiful Bondi & Coogee Beaches. I also had the chance to spend a few days with my relatives in Brisbane. It was the perfect dry winter trip, away from the humid & rainy Manila.

We all got multiple entry visas on our 1st application (find out here how we did it) & we agreed to fly to Australia again before our visas expire. Fast forward to April 2019, we all flew back to Australia for another week of adventure.. But this time, in Melbourne! Yes, we went around Melbourne & Victoria in general for 8 days & oh boy, we had a great time. I cannot wait to share everything in this platform. This trip to Melbourne also means I’ll be reviving the N9 In Straya Series which started last year.

We were joined by my good friend, Lord of LordAroundTheWorld, for the first 4 days in Melbourne. Lord was the one who invited me to go to Its The Ship 2018 last November. We had the best party nights on board a cruise ship – good times. Anyway, I will be dividing the trip write-ups into 6 or 7 sections & I’ll try to remember as much details as I can.

FLIGHTS

Last year, I paid around ₱11,500 all-in for a return ticket to Australia. Yes, that cheap! We flew with Cebu Pacific Air, a low-cost carrier, for 8-hour trips to & from Sydney. The experience was alright, though nothing beats flying with a full-service airline. Given our planned dates fall on the high (Holy Week) season, we decided to fly with the same airline in their Melbourne route.

This time, I paid around ₱15,000 for a round-trip ticket to Melbourne, Australia. The ticket only included shared baggage with my friends, no in-flight entertainment or food. Both flights were on time which were good. However, the experience was terrible. The flight was full, we had no space to change seats & have a row of seats to ourselves. The cabin was noisy in general & the service was a bit slow. The crew were fantastic, there were just around 400+ passengers on board.

This Melbourne ticket is amazingly cheap considering higher fuel prices & taxes. I’d still take the same flights but not during peak seasons.

ACCOMMODATION

My friends & I stayed in Flinders Backpackers in the center of Melbourne. We got a 3-bed dormitory room (perfect for us 3 – Lord got his own bed in another dormitory room) for 8 days & 7 nights. I will talk more about the hostel, its location & our experience in my upcoming hostel of the day feature. Watch out for that.

WALKING AROUND MELBOURNE

Last year, my friends & I joined the I’m Free Tours in Sydney & we had a nice experience. We opted not to take the I’m Free Tours Melbourne because we already know about the history of Australia. It would’ve been nice to know more about Melbourne in that walking tour but my friends didn’t want to take it again. Instead, we explored the city on our own. Trams are free within the central business district plus everything in the area can be reached by foot. Today, allow me to share with you the list of heritage & historical sites, parks & gardens we went to in the city.

Flinders Street Station

Flinders Street Station is Melbourne’s main train station. It was built in the 1850s & then transform into what it is now in the early 1900s. It is Australia’s first railway station. The station serves the whole Victorian metropolitan network. Flinders Street Station also has one of the world’s longest train platform at 708 m long.

St Paul’s Cathedral

Located opposite Flinders Station & Federation Square, St Paul’s Cathedral is another heritage structure built in the late 1800’s. It is an Anglican cathedral in Melbourne, the cathedral church of the Diocese of Melbourne & the seat of the Anglican Primate of Australia.

Royal Exhibition Building

Royal Exhibition Building is a UNESCO World Heritage Site located in Carlton Gardens, Victoria. It was built in the late 1800’s & has been used for events & exhibitions in the city. Up to now, the place is used for those types of functions. Note that this building is undergoing a multi-million renovation & is expected to be completed by 2020.

Carlton Gardens

Carlton Gardens is a 26-hectare site located a few streets from the main city. This massive open space has the Royal Exhibition Building, Melbourne Museum & IMAX Cinema in it. Just like the Royal Exhibition Building, Carlton Gardens was also declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2004.

Shrine of Remembrance

The Shrine of Remembrance is a war memorial that is dedicated to all Victorians who served in the war, particularly during the World War 1. The shrine is located outside the Central Business District, but is only a few tram stops from Flinders Street Station.

Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne

Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne is a 36-hectare botanic garden located at the south of the Yarra River. This botanic garden is home to thousands of plant species located along slopes, garden beds, lakes & lawns. This botanic garden serves as a breakout space & a bonding place for people who wanted to take a break from the busy city life. Entry to the garden is free of charge.

Fitzroy Gardens

Fitzroy Gardens is another 26-hectare block of greens at the back of the Parliament Square. This massive parkland is another park that is located within the Melbourne CBD. The Cook’s Cottage can also be found in this park.

Parliament House of Victoria

The Parliament House of Victoria is the house or meeting building of the Victorian Parliament. This historical & heritage landmark is located along Spring Street, beside the Old Treasury Building. The building was under renovation during our visit last April.

Old Treasury Building

From the name itself, the Old Treasury Building used to house the Treasury Department of the Government of Victoria. This old but beautiful building has then been transformed into a museum of Melbourne History.

St Patrick’s Cathedral

St Patrick’s Cathedral is the cathedral church of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne. It is also the seat of the Archbishop of Melbourne. The church was built in the 1850s but took a while to be completed. The cathedral is located in Cathedral Place, right at the back of the Parliament Building.

Old Melbourne Gaol

The Old Melbourne Gaol used to be a prison that held the country’s notorious criminals. It also had records of people being executed & hanged. It stopped operating as a prison after the world war & has then become a museum. Entrance fee to the museum is at AUD 28 per person, quite expensive to be honest. My friends & I decided not to go inside because it was out of our budget.

Queen Victoria Market

Queen Victoria Market, locally known as the QVM, is one of Victoria’s famous landmarks. It is an open air market that serves as the main trading hall for Victorians & for visitors. We visited the QVM on a Wednesday night & it was also the 2nd night of the Europa Night Market. This night market showcased different food, delicacies & drinks from selected European countries.

State Library of Victoria

The State Library of Victoria is the state’s central library. Built in the 1850s, it is Australia’s oldest public library & at the same time world’s first free libraries in the world. The library has various reading & collections room where locals & visitors can have a look. I’ve been to this library twice last April, 1st one with Lord & the 2nd time with my N9 friends. This is by far one of my favorite places in Melbourne. The view from the topmost floor of The Dome is just stunning.

This ends the list of parks, gardens & heritage sites we’ve been to in Melbourne. I’m sure we’ve been to more but I can’t remember the other ones. Melbourne is such a nice city. Its buildings are combinations of heritage listed brick ones & modern & contemporary ones. Its one of those cities where you won’t get tired of walking around.

Have you been to Melbourne in the past? What is the most interesting building you’ve been to? How was your visit? Feel free to send your thoughts & experiences in the comments section below. Do you have any questions about the matters above? You can also send them via e-mail to contact@thewkndtravel.com. Don’t forget to follow me & please please please also help me in promoting my social media channels – Facebook, Instagram or Twitter.

Watch out for more Melbourne content in the future! Thank you for reading.

PS. Photos were taken using my HTC U11.

PENANG in 36 Hours – A Walk Around Heritage Sites

Happy new year everyone! I hope everyone had a relaxing holiday break. I went home to my hometown & spent the festive season with my family & relatives. It’s also the reason why I’ve been very quiet the past weeks. I’m very happy to be back! I have a long list of stories, tips & content to post. I can’t wait to share all of them with you!

Let’s get down to business. Today, I will bring you to Penang, Malaysia. Last November 2018, I got to explore Penang. I was supposed to stay for a few days but I had to cut short my trip to 36 hours for another exciting engagement in Singapore. I will talk about that experience in an upcoming post. Back to Penang, I spent most of my time around the island’s capital – Georgetown. This colorful & multicultural capital became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2008. Georgetown is like a living museum; the buildings & shop houses have retained their historic form through the years.

I will make this post somewhat informal & basically share my itinerary by date & time. Check out the turnout of events in Penang below.

Day 1 – Hello Penang!

22:00 – I arrived at Penang International Airport from Kuala Lumpur via Malaysia Airlines. Flight was delayed for an hour due to bad weather at the airport vicinity. I got some cash from the ATM & booked a Grab ride to my hostel.

23:00 – I arrived at The Frame Guesthouse in Georgetown & checked in to my room. I went to the nearest convenience center & grabbed something to eat & drink. I had freshened up & went to bed.

I wrote about my stay at The Frame Guesthouse. Check out the hostel of the day feature here.

Day 2 – Kek Lok Si Temple & Around Georgetown

07:00 – I woke up & immediately took a shower. I went downstairs to avail the hostel’s free breakfast. I had some toast, fresh fruits & a glass of milk. I went to reception & asked for advice on what to do for the day.

08:00 – I left the hostel & walked to Komtar Bus Terminal. I took Bus 203 or 204 to Ayer Itam. The fare costs RM2 per person & takes about 30 minutes. It is the bus line’s last stop so the driver will advise you to get off the bus. The temple is only a short walk up the hill.

09:00 – I arrived at Kek Lok Si Temple. The Buddhist temple was built way back in the late 19th century. This temple played a big role in building Penang’s religious heritage.

I went around the different temple buildings & pagodas. The complex has millions of Buddha images & hundreds of physical statues. I also took the inclined lift up to the giant Buddha. It took me 2.5 hours to go around the whole temple complex.

11:30 – I went down to Ayer Itam & had lunch. I went to the small hawker center & bought curry mee for lunch. After lunch, I walked around the different shops in the area. I was a bit tired so I booked a Grab car back to the hostel.

12:30 – I arrived back to The Frame Guesthouse & decided to rest for a while.

14:00 – I left the hostel & started my walkathon around Georgetown. I walked around Love Lane & saw some interesting murals.

14:15 – I went to Pinang Peranakan Mansion. Also known as the Mansion of the Babas & Nyonyas, this mansion was once owned by the rich Chinese who migrated to Penang. The Chinese family adopted to the local Malaysian & colonial British cultures & still managed to create a unique lifestyle & customs. This way of life left a big collection of antiques which are on display in the mansion. The mansion has a RM20 entrance fee per person. They also offer English tours (takes about an hour) around the house daily. I joined the 14:30 tour.

15:30 – I left Pinang Peranakan Mansion & continued my walkathon to Penang Town Hall & The Esplanade. This public open space by the sea is a popular recreation area for the locals. People go here for leisure walks & relaxation. I planned to visit the nearby Fort Cornawallis but the fort was closed to the public on that specific day.

16:00 – I went to Padang Kota Lama, a hawker center beside Fort Cornwallis, to try the famous mee sotong goreng. This sweet & spicy noodles are only sold by Hameed Pata Special Mee. I waited in line for a few minutes before it was finally my turn to buy. The regular plate costs RM5 & the big plate costs RM7. You can choose from the goreng (fried noodles) or the rebus (boiled noodles). I also tried the coconut shake in the nearby stall for RM4.

16:45 – I resumed my walkathon around Georgetown. This time, I went back to Lebuh Chulia & continued to Lebuh Armenian to check out the famous Penang murals. I went around the main & small streets to see as many murals as I can. Luckily, there were only few tourists checking out the murals.

17:30 – I went back to the hostel to rest before heading out for dinner.

19:30 – 2 hours after, I went out to have dinner with a Filipino I met in the mansion tour. We ate in a local restaurant along Lebuh Chulia. I had wan tan mee (Malaysian wonton noodles), char koay teow (stir-fried noodles) & hot teh tarik (hot milk tea) for dinner. Yes, I was that hungry.

20:30 – We went to this local liquor store named Antarabangsa Enterprise to have drinks. This shop is located along Lorong Stewart (Stewart Lane). Every day, the store staff sets up tables & chairs in the street for their customers. We stayed for a while here & met interesting people from Penang (locals), Iran & Norway. It was a fun night exchanging stories about anything under the sun.

23:45 – After a few bottles & hours of drinking, I headed back to my hostel to rest. I took a shower & went to bed.

Day 3 – Goodbye Penang!

06:00 – I woke up & fixed my stuff. I took a shower & got ready for check out.

07:15 – I booked a Grab car & went to Penang International Airport for my international flight to Singapore.

07:45 – I arrived at the airport & went straight to check in. I had breakfast at KFC after check in then I headed to the boarding gate.

09:30 – Boarding for Singapore commenced.

10:05 – My Scoot flight to Singapore departed Penang International Airport on time.

This pretty much is all about my quick stop at Penang. I wish I stayed longer but I guess I made the most out of that 36-hour stay. I know I missed a lot of interesting places like Batu Ferringhi, Clan Jetties, Penang Hill & the Blue Mansion. That gives me another reason to go back in visit Penang in the future.

Have you been to Penang? Where else did you go that you find very interesting & unique? Feel free to share these places in the comments below. I’ll check ’em out when I fly back to Penang. You can also send them via email to contact@thewkndtravel.com. Please help me in promoting my social media channels – Facebook, Instagram or Twitter.

Watch out for the next post about Penang. You’ll surely love it! Ciao. ✌️

PS. Photos were taken using my HTC U11.